Legal & Adoption Disclosures

Our Role

Open Arms Adoption Co. provides adoption-related guidance, case management, support, communication coordination, matching assistance, and other services within the scope of our agency program and applicable licensing requirements.

We may coordinate with social workers, attorneys, hospitals, courts, licensed professionals, and other authorized parties when appropriate to an adoption matter.

For Expectant Parents

An expectant parent may contact Open Arms Adoption Co. to learn about adoption and available support. Completing an inquiry or application does not require an expectant parent to proceed with an adoption plan.

Expectant parents may receive information and counseling regarding adoption options, adoptive-family preferences, communication plans, birth and hospital planning, and other available support.

Adoption decisions and legal consent are governed by applicable law. The timing and legal requirements for consent may vary depending on the circumstances and jurisdiction.

For Prospective Adoptive Parents

Prospective adoptive parents must complete the agency's application and approval process before participating in an adoption opportunity through Open Arms.

Depending on the program and applicable requirements, this may include background checks, documentation, interviews, a home study, approval, and other required evaluations.

Submission of an application, payment of an application fee, completion of a home study, or participation in the agency program does not guarantee a match, placement, or finalization of an adoption.

Adoption Opportunities & Matching

Open Arms may facilitate adoption opportunities involving an expectant parent who is considering adoption or a newborn who is legally eligible for adoption.

A potential match is not a guarantee that an adoption will occur. Circumstances may change before birth, after birth, during the legal consent process, or during other stages of an adoption.

Open Arms does not operate a public marketplace for children. Information concerning individual adoption opportunities is handled through appropriate agency procedures and applicable privacy and confidentiality requirements.

Adoption Types

Depending on the circumstances of an adoption, an expectant parent and adoptive family may discuss open, semi-open, or closed adoption arrangements.

The details of communication, contact, identifying information, and post-placement relationships should be discussed with the agency and qualified legal professionals and documented as appropriate.

Fees & Expenses

Adoption fees and expenses vary according to the services required, the circumstances of the adoption, legal requirements, and other applicable factors.

Open Arms publishes its standard program fees so prospective adoptive parents can understand the agency's base costs before moving forward.

Separate legal, court, professional, interstate, travel, or other case-specific expenses may apply where appropriate.

Please review the agency's current Adoption Costs page and applicable agreement before making payments.

Confidentiality & Privacy

Adoption matters often involve sensitive personal, family, medical, financial, and legal information. Open Arms takes reasonable steps to protect information entrusted to the agency and handles information according to applicable law, agency policy, and authorized disclosures.

Information may be shared when necessary to provide services, coordinate an adoption, comply with legal requirements, protect a person's safety, or as otherwise permitted or required by law.

For more information, please review our Privacy Policy.

No Guarantee of Adoption Outcome

Open Arms Adoption Co. cannot guarantee that an adoption opportunity will become available, that a prospective adoptive family will be selected by an expectant parent, that a match will result in placement, or that an adoption will ultimately be finalized.

Adoption decisions involve expectant parents, prospective adoptive families, social workers, attorneys, courts, hospitals, and other parties whose decisions and circumstances may affect the process.

Changes to This Information

Open Arms Adoption Co. may update this page when our services, policies, legal requirements, or other relevant information changes. The current version published on this website should be considered the applicable website disclosure unless otherwise stated in a written agreement or required by law.